Police in Providence Wednesday pulled over an SUV driven by Patriots defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who after being cited for driving an unregistered vehicle accused the officers of racism on social media.
“I just experienced for the first time 5 Providence cops being very unprofessional racism at it’s finest,” Barmore, 25, posted on X at 1:22 a.m., soon after the stop, which led to his SUV being towed.
Shortly before 1 a.m., officers watched Barmore’s Jeep Grand Cherokee pass their marked cruiser in the area of Elmwood and Parkis avenues, police wrote in a report.
Barmore’s vehicle had “window tint all around” and a “plate cover on the temporary registration, causing issues on reading the information,” police said.
Officers activated their overhead lights to signal Barmore to stop, the report stated. Barmore did not stop initially but “slow rolled” the SUV before coming to a complete stop on Broad Street, police said.
“This tactic is known to police by slowing down an interaction with police to hide any contraband or weapons,” police said. “It should also be noted that the area is known for high narcotic usage.”
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Officers got out of their cruiser and approached Barmore, who police said became confrontational.
“Barmore’s first response was why he was getting stopped, which police then stated the reason for the traffic stop and our observations,” the report said. “During this interaction Barmore had an attitude towards police and when requested for proper paperwork for the vehicle he then handed it over in an aggressive manner.”
Officers learned the Jeep’s temporary registration had expired Oct. 5, and Barmore did not provide an updated one, police said.
“Barmore then proceeded with giving police an attitude and asked for a ticket,” the report said. “It was at this time police advised Barmore that his vehicle was getting towed on scene and that we were going to perform a search of the vehicle as well.”
In a statement, Providence Police Colonel Oscar L. Perez Jr. said the department takes all concerns voiced by the public seriously but defended the conduct of the officers involved in the stop.
“We understand that any encounter with law enforcement can be stressful, however, it’s important to note that officers are required to enforce all applicable laws, including those related to vehicle registration,” Perez said. “We will continue to review the situation to ensure that proper procedures were followed and to maintain transparency with the public.”
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If “there are any concerns or questions about this incident, we encourage Mr. Barmore to reach out to the Providence Police Department so we can address them in a constructive manner,” he added.
The Providence Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3, the union representing the city’s police force, also defended the officers’ actions.
Body worn camera video footage shows the officers “acted professionally, in accordance with policies and procedures, and with no semblance of racial bias at all,” the union said in a statement posted online Wednesday night.
“The FOP hopes that this individual will publicly rescind his false accusations against our police officers and issue a similarly public apology,” the union said.
As of Friday morning, Barmore’s social media post was no longer on X.
The encounter marked the second time a Patriots player had a run-in with law enforcement this month. On Oct. 5, safety Jabrill Peppers, 29, was arrested on allegations of choking a woman multiple times and pushing her head against a wall in his Braintree apartment.
The Patriots announced in July that Barmore had been diagnosed with blood clots and said there was no timetable for his return to the playing field.
After police told Barmore his car was going to be towed, they spoke with his mother, whom the athlete had called on speaker, and told her she could come and pick up her son. During this time, police said, they saw Barmore reaching under a seat and trying to conceal an object, despite being repeatedly ordered to exit his car.
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Barmore asked for a police supervisor, the report said.
“During this time Barmore was on the phone with his mom, stating that he wants a Sergeant on scene, to which we stated respectfully if he steps out the vehicle that the sergeant will arrive on scene,” police said, adding that he “finally” got out after several requests.
“It should be noted that while we were trying to get control of Barmore, he kept pushing away from police, stating that he did not want to be touched,” police said. “He then walked towards the rear of the vehicle while police proceeded with the search and we found an ash cup, along with what appeared to be a blunt rolled with an unknown substance where he was seen reaching under the seat.”
Police found what appeared to be several tubes filled with marijuana under the passenger seat, according to the report.
“It was at this time that Barmore walked towards a black Dodge Challenger and left the scene while still giving police a hard time,” the report said.
Officers left court summonses in the SUV for operating an unregistered vehicle, display of plates violations, and driving with an expired registration, police said.
They had to leave them in the Jeep, rather than hand the documents to him at the scene, due to his “belligerent behavior and not wanting to stay on scene,” police said.
Body camera footage released by police shows officers approaching Barmore’s vehicle as it’s parked on Broad Street. His mother can be heard talking to officers at one point on speaker phone about the registration.
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“Please just step out, call your coach,” Barmore’s mother tells him at one point. “Let them know what’s going on.”
At another point, an agitated Barmore tells officers they “pulled me over for no reason ... I just want to go home. That’s all I want to do. Like, literally ... You’re not going to check my car, for what? I ain’t got no weapons. I ain’t no enemy. What the [expletive]?”
An officer replies, “I pulled you over back there, you took a while to stop, right?”
His mother later can be heard telling Barmore, “Please call the coaches, please,” as an officer says to him, “I’m being respectful ... Just step out for me.”
Barmore’s mother later tells police her son is “on blood thinners” so caution should be exercised.
“Your car is getting towed regardless,” another officer tells Barmore. “How the rest of the stop goes is [up to] your behavior.”
Barmore’s mother tells him to roll up his window, which he begins to do, prompting an officer to reach inside the car, which draws an angry reaction from Barmore.
“Y’all [expletive] touch me?” Barmore shouts. “Y’all crazy? I ain’t do [expletive] to y’all.” As he opens the driver’s door and begins to get out, he can be heard saying, “I dare y’all to touch me. I dare y’all to touch me ... I’ll sue all y’all [expletive].”
After Barmore exits the Jeep, he is surrounded by officers. He tells them “what y’all gonna do?” and repeatedly says “stop touching me” as he walks slowly away from the Jeep.
Barmore also appears to shout toward a bystander, “You see this [expletive]? ... I ain’t do nothing wrong.”
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Police repeatedly tell Barmore “you’re going to get locked up” as he moves his arm away from them.
Court records show Barmore was fined $175.25 for the infractions. A request for comment was sent to Barmore’s agent Wednesday.
Patriots coach Jerod Mayo told reporters Wednesday that the team had learned of the stop, but he made it clear he wasn’t interested in discussing the matter at length.
“We’re aware of the situation,” Mayo said. “I had a conversation with him this morning. At least for this time here with you guys, I just want to kind of focus on Jacksonville.”
The Patriots play the Jacksonville Jaguars in London Sunday.
This story was updated to include comment from The Providence Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #3.
Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com. Nicole Yang can be reached at nicole.yang@globe.com.Follow her @nicolecyang. Amanda Milkovits can be reached at amanda.milkovits@globe.com. Follow her @AmandaMilkovits. Christopher Gavin can be reached at christopher.gavin@globe.com.